Brenden Paul is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sunrise Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com.

After a memorable 2021-22 season fell just short of a state championship, Sunrise Mountain High School’s girls badminton team looks to getting another crack at taking home the title this season.

Sunrise Mountain, located in Peoria, finished the 2021-22 regular season with a record of 13-1, its only loss coming in a tight 5-4 match against Horizon. The Mustangs made their mark on the state tournament, earning 6-0 match sweeps over North Canyon and Horizon in their first two rounds before falling 6-3 to Prescott in the semifinals.

"We have three varsity players that came back out of six, so that makes it exciting,” coach Missy Carter said. “I think since we had the experience of going so far, it made the girls hungry, so we’re excited.”

Carter is in her second season as the head coach, having served as an assistant for three seasons prior. Before that, Carter taught at Ironwood High School for 26 years, where head coach Brett Stafford built a powerhouse badminton program.

So far in their quest for the title, the Mustangs have looked dominant, beginning the season 9-0, winning eight of their nine matches in a 9-0 sweep before suffering their first loss of the season against Ironwood on Sept. 22. All six singles players and three doubles pairings have looked sharp, winning most of their respective flights handily.

Hattie Hearnen is a senior leader on this year’s team. Over the course of the last two seasons, Hearnen is unbeaten in singles matches, playing #4 singles last year, and being moved up to #2 singles this year.

“I’d say playing with strategy and having the strength of having a strong smash has helped me throughout all my matches,” Hearnen said when asked what contributes to her success and what will help her in the future. “Going forward, I’d say continuing to play with strategy and always communicating are keys to success.”

The other returning senior in the varsity lineup is Camille Martin. Martin has been dominant this season posting 18 consecutive singles and doubles wins to start the season, before losing to Ironwood in singles and doubles. Martin plays #3 singles and #2 doubles with junior Hannah Winschel.

“I think practicing like we want to play and being paired with doubles partners we play well with are key to our success this season,” Martin said. “Chemistry with your partner is important because if you and your partner don’t have it, you won’t play well. You can both be individually good, but if you don’t play well together, you won’t do good.”

The starting lineup for most of the team’s prior matches this season also consists of junior Rylan Rhodes, who plays #1 singles and doubles, junior Hannah Winschel, who plays #4 singles and #2 doubles, sophomore Ruthey Figg, who plays #5 singles, senior Mabel Dinnell, who plays #3 doubles, and junior Annabel Johnson, who plays #6 singles and #3 doubles.

The team’s quest for a state title continues, with four matches remaining in the regular season. The top 16 teams from Division II after the regular season qualify for the state championship. The Division II team State Championship will take place between October 24 and 27, with the state championship match being played at Desert Vista High School. 

Carter said she has high hopes for the season.

“We’re going to work hard, and try and get back (to state), and go at least as far as last year, if not farther.”